Ashiqullah Mehsud was an important TTP commander who took over the reins after the death Qari Hussain Mehsud. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
A key Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) commander was killed on Wednesday in fresh clashes between two rival factions of the militant group in North Waziristan.
Ashiqullah Mehsud, who belongs to the Shaheryar Mehsud group, was killed in Hoormaz village of Mirali tehsil.
He was believed to be an important TTP commander who took over the reins after the death of Qari Hussain Mehsud.
The Shehryar Mehsud-led faction has fought bloody clashes with a rival faction – Waliur Rehman Group, led by Khan Said, aka Sajna – since April. Dozens of fighters from both sides have been killed in clashes since then. Last week, the Sajna faction broke away from the TTP, accusing the group of criminality.
The government’s nascent peace initiative had hit a deadlock due to the TTP infighting, though Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had insisted that they expected some headway from a second round of talks with the TTP Political Shura. However, the two sides could not set the date and time for a second face-to-face meeting between their negotiators.
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@Cobra Commander: Dead right. ISI has finally penetrated the TTP With USA flushing out, peace will finally be restrored
All of them must be killed one way or other. Lets hope and pray that sacred motherland will be free from them soon InshAllah.
The 18th century’s great Punjabi Sufi and poet Bulleh Shah wrote, “Do not be happy over an enemy's death…” So true, there is no joy in any death but one should not overlook that violence begets violence. People like Ashiqullah Mehsud are plain enemy of humanity. They brain-wash kids with their lies and turn them in human bombs to kill and destroy many more lives. I am sure Ashiqullah’s death will allow a few mothers to sleep a little better, knowing that another child may be spared a violent death. The innocent people of the region, whose only concern is to put two honest meals in front of their families, have suffered enough at the hands of the terrorists. Time has come for the terrorists to realize that their only option left for them is to give up their violent ways and join the main stream to build a peaceful and prosperous nation. As the region moves forward we stand by the people who have been striving for peace.
Abdul Quddus. DET-United States Central Command.
I have a feeling this is revenge for the martyrdom of two army Colonels yesterday. General Sharif has already said it he will not take any provocation casually and will reply aggressively.